The University of Mississippi Athletics
Menard and Renie Named NSCAA All-Region
1/13/2003 | Soccer
Jan. 13, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss soccer players Kristal Menard and Kelly Renie collected some more hardware for their outstanding fall, having been named All-Central Region second team by the National Soccer Coaches of America Association.
The duo, who helped the Rebels to their most successful season ever in 2002, was selected All-SEC first team in November. Ole Miss boasts 11 All-Region selections in the program's eight-year history.
A sophomore midfielder from Anchorage, Ky., Menard moved from forward to the midfield in 2002 and quickly became a key component in the Rebels attack. She recorded a goal and an assist in the Rebels' first road victory at Alabama, and she also netted the game-winner against Mississippi State. Menard totaled a team-high six assists and finished second in total points in league games.
A forward from Carmel, Ind., Renie was the only freshman to appear on the Central Region first or second team. The SEC Freshman of the Year was one of the nation's premier goal-scorers in the fall, ranking top 12 in Division I in goals per game. After missing 2001 with a torn ACL, Renie returned to lead the SEC in goals and total points in league games. She recorded the game-winner in nine of the 13 UM victories, and finished with 18 goals, the second-highest single-season total in school history.
The Rebels made last season their best as a program, finishing it off with their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. With a 13-5-2 record, Ole Miss registered its best single-season winning percentage (.700) and ranked top three in the SEC overall standings for the first time.
